BTS leader RM has offered a thoughtful look into his philosophy on leadership, personal growth, and modern life in a candid interview with British fashion designer Bella Freud.
The conversation, released on July 22, saw RM reflect on everything from BTS’ global success to the pressures of social media, the evolution of his leadership style, and the inspiration behind his solo work.
When asked what leadership means to him, RM shared a simple analogy that has resonated with fans. “Imagine everyone is lying comfortably on a sofa, but a window is open and it’s cold. Someone has to get up and close the window, but no one wants to move. I think a leader is the person who gets up and closes it. If someone has to do it, I believed it should be me.” The BTS member explained that leadership often means taking responsibility for the tasks others would rather avoid.
RM also reflected on how his approach has evolved since BTS debuted in 2013. He admitted that during the group’s first eight or nine years, he was a much stronger and sometimes more authoritative leader.
However, as BTS grew and each member established an individual identity and career, he realized that style was no longer effective. “I changed the way I communicate.”
Now, he finds the greatest reward in hearing his fellow members acknowledge his efforts. “When the members tell me, ‘We know how hard you’ve worked. We’re really grateful to have a leader like you,’ all the stress disappears. That’s the beauty of being a team.”
Although BTS became one of the biggest music acts in the world, RM said global superstardom was never his original goal. He noted that it’s easy to become consumed by chart rankings, numbers, and influence within the pop industry, but he tries to stay connected to real life and nature instead.
RM also expressed concern about today’s fast-paced digital culture. “Short-form videos and Reels create constant pressure to always be doing something. What scares me most is how fast everything has become.”
RM also discussed his second solo studio album, Right Place, Wrong Person, released in 2024. He explained that much of his life had been driven by the pressure to constantly perform well, so the album became an opportunity to let go of that mindset. “I wanted to become more comfortable and free myself from always feeling tense.”
The album’s visual concept was created in collaboration with renowned photographer Wing Shya, best known for his long-running work with acclaimed filmmaker Wong Kar Wai.
RM said the album title reflects a feeling that many people experience today. “Many people wonder, ‘Am I the only one who thinks this way?’ or ‘Am I the wrong person?’ Sometimes you feel like you’re in the right place but you’re the wrong person, or that you’re the right person in the wrong place.”
He added that although smartphones and social media have connected people more than ever, loneliness and depression continue to affect many individuals.
A lifelong reader, RM credited his parents for nurturing his love of books by taking him to the public library every week as a child. Among the many books he has read, he singled out Hermann Hesse’s Demian as the one that had the greatest impact on his life.
According to RM, the novel helped him understand the true nature of jealousy for the first time. He recalled comparing himself to classmates who seemed to excel at everything from academics and sports to popularity and realizing those feelings of envy through the book’s themes. “I’ve read it four or five times. It gave me the opportunity to naturally absorb the wisdom left behind by previous generations.”
RM’s reflections once again highlight the introspective mindset that has become a defining characteristic of both his leadership within BTS and his work as a solo artist.
Sources: Daum | SBS연예뉴스
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